Abbie provides inspiration

SMILING through the pain of her cancer battle, little Abbie Main has said ‘thank you’ to the Moray public for their generosity to one of the area’s greatest charity efforts.

Abbie with her festive message.

The 11-year-old Elgin youngster’s bravery helped inspire a record-breaking Burghead Boxing Day swim entry of 200, raising an estimated £30,000 for three local charities.

Abbie’s dad, Russell, has helped organise the swim for every one of its 28 years, and this year he nominated the Moray Friends of ARCHIE appeal as its main charity.

A pupil at West End Primary in Elgin, the youngster is currently receiving chemotherapy at Glasgow’s Yorkhill Hospital, and staying at the Ronald McDonald House facility with her family while she recovers.

Russell said his daughter was thrilled by the response to the charity swim, and is keen to do some fund-raising of her own when she gets better.

CLAN cancer care in Elgin, and Maggie’s Highland cancer centre in Inverness, will also benefit from the record proceeds taken in by the event.

Read the full and exclusive story in ‘The Northern Scot’ print version.